lystn

Four our first episode, editor and director Dionna McMillion shares how she transforms raw footage into stories that land with emotional impact. She breaks down her editing process, from assembly cuts and gut instincts to Walter Murch’s rule of six and the essential principle of cutting for emotion. We explore story structure, pacing, and the blink-rate science behind great editing rhythm. Dionna explains how isolating scenes can unlock new ideas, why awkward pauses are gold in comedy, and the moments in her award-nominated short Love New York that still excite her. She also opens up about the grounding practices that keep her creative and steady, including church mornings, tennis, and connecting with nature. Whether you're an aspiring editor, a filmmaker wearing many hats, or simply fascinated by how intuition shapes story, this episode will change the way you watch and make films.

Chapters:

01:00 – Assembly cuts to surface gut reactions
02:00 – Walter Murch’s rule of six and cutting for emotion
03:30 – Science of story structure: acts, beats, and pacing
05:00 – Editing rhythm: matching cuts to the blink of an eye
06:45 – Top-and-tail edits and isolating tricky scenes
08:30 – Comedy editing: timing surprises and cringey cuts
10:15 – Favorite awkward moments in Love New York and The Next Right Thing
12:00 – Vulnerability on set: stress, tears, and multitasking
14:00 – Balancing the roles of director, editor, and producer
16:00 – Grounding rituals: spirituality, tennis, and staying present
18:00 – Shaping character identity with “givens,” soul, and astrology
20:00 – Plot versus character: writing bios to guide every scene